Northumberland

Northumberland's population grew older in the decade leading up to the most recent census. At the same time there were changes in housing tenure, health and marriage.

The population reached nearly 320,000

In the decade leading up to the most recent census, the population of Northumberland increased by 2.9%, from just over 307,000 to 316,000.

The addition of about 8,800 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Northumberland was home to, on average, 0.45 people per football pitch-sized piece of land. This made it the North East's least densely-populated unitary authority.

Population density was lower than the average across the North East

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the North East, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Northumberland

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Northumberland increased by four years, from 41 to 45 years.

This remote area had the highest average age in the North East and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of almost 11,000 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just over 9,000.

About 14% of people in Northumberland are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, North East and Northumberland by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Northumberland that rented privately increased from 8.7% to 13% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

In 2011, just under one in five (19%) households lived in social housing, compared with 21% in 2001. The percentage of Northumberland households that owned their home decreased from 67% to 66%.

The proportion of privately rented homes decreased faster here than in any other local authority district across the North East. But despite the improvement, Northumberland remained less healthy than the regional average 14% in the North East described their health as good in 2011).

Private renting in Northumberland increased by 4.6 percentage points

Percentage of households in Northumberland, the North East and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health fell in Northumberland, but at a slower rate than all other local authority areas in the North East.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

Every local authority area across the North East saw a fall in the proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad, as the regional average fell from 12% to 7.5%.

Across the North East, the proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell from 12% to 7.5% between the last two censuses, while the proportion in County Durham (the local authority area that shares the largest boundary with Northumberland) fell from 13% to 8.2%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Northumberland decreased by 4 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Northumberland, the North East and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer married people

The proportion of married people fell in Northumberland, but at a slower rate than all other local authority areas in the North East.

Every local authority area across the North East saw a fall in the proportion of married people, as the regional average fell from 51% to 46%.

Across the North East, the proportion of married people fell from 51% to 46% between the last two censuses, while the proportion in nearby County Durham fell from 53% to 47%.

The proportion of married people was higher than across the North East

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were married across local authority areas in the North East and the average across England, March 2011

Change in work life

The rate of employment increased in Northumberland, but at a slower rate than all other local authority areas in the North East, except Newcastle upon Tyne.

Every local authority area across the North East saw a rise in the proportion of employed people, as the regional average grew from 49% to 51%.

The rate of employment was higher than across the North East

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 that said they were employed across local authority areas in the North East and the average across England, March 2011

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